Caught The Fire Bug

10/04/2025

🔥 Labor Mountain Fire Update 🔥
Size: 37,842 acres
Containment: 7%
📸 Photo taken this evening.

When wildfires burn in steep, rugged, unforgiving terrain, it makes access for firefighters extremely difficult. That’s why containment numbers can remain low, especially on fires that drag on for more than a month. Crews are working tirelessly in some of the nastiest country you can imagine—where every step is uphill, every operation is dangerous, and every foot of progress comes hard-earned.

This is a marathon, not a sprint. 👊🔥📸

10/03/2025

From 40,000 ft: the Phillip Creek Complex fire near Tennant Creek. Sparked by dry lightning in dry country — a strong reminder that the fire season is still very much alive. 📸 Bushfire NF.

10/03/2025

10/03/2025

JUST IN: Timber Mesa Fire & Medical District says its department lost another firefighter in a deadly crash this morning, just weeks after two other firefighters were killed in a crash along State Route 260.

10/03/2025

Sugarloaf Fire Update 10-2-25, 9pm.

Firefighters are starting to gain the upper hand on the Fire, reported midmorning on September 1. The fire remains 55% contained at 39,594 acres.

Yesterday, crews working around Burch Mountain and in the Swakane Creek drainage conducted strategic firing operations to strengthen containment lines. These tactics use fire to consume fuels between an active wildfire and established containment features, but they can only be implemented under specific fuel and weather conditions. This picture is from September 7th.

Meanwhile, the Labor Mountain Fire was successfully transitioned to a separate Incident Management Team, which reduced the number of resources assigned solely to the Lower Sugarloaf Fire. However, the Labor Mountain and Lower Sugarloaf fires continue to support one another as needed. 📸 Lower Sugarloaf page.

10/03/2025

10/03/2025

Wildfire outlook for the next four months. East Coast & Texas  looks spicy.

10/02/2025

New Start: Cherry Fire 150 acres A Mandatory Evacuation Order has been issued for the area of Right Fork Hobble Creek to Springville Crossing, per Utah County via Everbridge. The fire is growing quickly.

Just East of the Kirkman Hollow Trailhead, East of Springville Utah County, UT 📸 watch duty

10/02/2025

Lower Sugarloaf Fire 39,594 acres 48% contained. Just West of Sugarloaf Peak, 12 Miles NE from Leavenworth, Chelan County, WA. 📸 Ryan Higgins, Outstanding capture! 😍 

10/02/2025

🌧️ Why Rain is Good AND Bad for Wildfires ⚠️🔥

Rain plays a complicated role in fire season it can help firefighters, but it can also create new dangers for crews and communities. Here’s how:

✅ Why Rain is Good for Wildfires
1. Moistens Fuels – Raises moisture in grass, brush, trees, and duff, slowing fire spread.
2. Reduces Fire Intensity – Even light showers calm flames, giving crews time to build line and mop up.
3. Improves Air Quality – Rain knocks smoke out of the air, clearing skies and reducing health risks.
4. Supports Suppression Repair – Steady rain compacts soil on dozer lines and cools smoldering fuels.

⚠️ Why Rain is Bad for Wildfires
1. Flash Floods & Mudslides – Burn scars shed water fast, leading to floods and debris flows.
2. Soil Erosion – Hillsides wash away, clogging rivers and damaging roads.
3. Re-ignition Hazards – Light rain may only dampen the surface; hot stump holes can flare up again.
4. Firefighter & Community Safety Risks – Wet slopes, washed-out roads, and debris flows can trap crews and endanger nearby towns.
5. Infrastructure Damage – Sudden downpours erode firelines, wash out retardant berms, and damage pumps/hoses.

🚒 Bottom Line:
• Light, steady rain = good 🌧️🔥
• Heavy downpours on burn scars = dangerous for firefighters and communities 🌊⚠️

10/02/2025

COMMUNITY RALLYING FOR INJURED FIRE CHIEF: Cedar City Fire Department, Fire Chief Mike Phillips suffered burns during a recent training and will undergo 8-10 weeks of treatment, including skin grafts, at the University of Utah Hospital in Salt Lake City.

10/02/2025

Emigrant Fire PM update:
📍 Emigrant Fire | October 1
• Size: 33,097 acres
• Containment: 51%

Special Note:
The Rocky Mountain Complex Incident Management Team 1 (CIMT1) is transitioning command today with the Middle Fork Type 3 Team. Official transfer will take place at 6 p.m. Rocky Mountain CIMT1 extends thanks to the local agencies, cooperators, and communities for their support and patience.

Current Situation:
Recent rainfall has greatly reduced fire activity. However, heavy dead and down fuels, as well as stump holes, continue to hold heat, so smoke may still be visible at times until a season-ending weather event occurs. With much of the suppression repair work completed, Contingency Groups have been merged into adjacent divisions. Firefighters will continue to patrol all divisions of the fire.

Division A:
Division D and the Contingency Group from Branch 1 have been merged into Division A. Crews are patrolling along Forest Service Roads (FSRs) 21, 2134, and 2136. Excavators are completing final ditch cleanup along contingency lines west of the fire, with work expected to wrap up tomorrow.

Division F:
Suppression repair was completed and approved by Resource Advisors yesterday. The division is now in patrol status. Excavators are finalizing ditch cleanup along contingency lines east of the fire, with completion expected by midday today. Cooler weather and rainfall are expected to keep the 433 Fire and remaining hot spots above FSR 2153 from growing further.

Division K:
Interior hot spots north of the South Fork of Staley Creek are cooling, and fire spread has slowed significantly. Suppression repair is complete, and patrol along FSRs 2136 and 2154 remains the priority.

📸 Source: Emigrant Fire page. Picture from a few weeks ago..